History.
Thai people first began to settle their present homeland in the 6th century, and at the end of the 13th century ruled most of the western part. Over the next 400 years, they fought sporadically with Cambodia to the east and Burmese. Previously called Siam, Thailand has never experienced foreign occupation. England gained a colonial foothold in the region in 1824, but by 1896 Anglo -French agreement guaranteeing the independence of Thailand. A coup in 1932 lowered monarchy titular status and established representative government with universal suffrage.At the outbreak of World War II, Japanese forces attacked Thailand. After five hours of token resistance Thailand yielded to Japan on December 8, 1941, then became a staging area for the Japanese campaign against Malaya. After the collapse of the pro-Japanese puppet government in July 1944, Thailand rejected the declaration of war it had been forced to make in 1942 against Britain and the United States
In the late 1960s the nation's problems mostly come from the conflict brewing in neighboring Cambodia and Vietnam. Although Thailand has received $ 2 billion in economic and military aid the US since 1950 and has sent troops (paid for by the US) to Vietnam while allowing a base bombers US territory, the collapse of South Vietnam and Cambodia in the spring of 1975 brought rapid changes in posture diplomatic. At the urging of the Thai government, the US agreed to withdraw all 23,000 US military personnel remaining in Thailand in March 1976.
A Military Coup and the failure of the Government.
Three years of civilian rule ended with a military coup on October 6, 1976. The political parties, banned after the coup, gaining limited freedom in 1980. In the same year, the national assembly elected General Prem Tinsulanonda as prime minister. Prem continue as prime minister following general elections in 1983 and 1986.Fleeing from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia's Pol Pot regime killer, refugees flooded Thailand in 1978 and 1979. Despite efforts by the United States and other Western countries to accommodate them, a total of 130,000 Laos and Vietnam living in camps along Cambodian border in the mid 1980s.
On April 3, 1981, a military coup against the government of Prem failed. Another coup attempt on September 9, 1985, was destroyed by forces loyal after ten hours of fighting in Bangkok. In February 1991, yet another coup resulted in another junta, which declared a state of emergency and abolished the constitution. A land reform program scandal led to the fall of the government in May 1995. A succession of governments followed.
Economic collapse and subsequent growth.
After several years of economic growth is unprecedented, Thailand's economy, once one of the strongest in the region, collapsing under the weight of foreign debt in 1997. The economic collapse of Thailand triggered a chain reaction in the region, triggering the Asian currency crisis. The Thai government quickly accepted guidelines for the restructuring of the International Monetary Fund as a condition of $ 17000000000 bailout. Thailand's economy, while far from completely recovered, continued to increase during the next few years.Thaksin Shinawatra, head of the Thai Rak Thai Party, became prime minister in January 2001. The highly popular Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications mogul, was indicted in December 2000 on charges of corruption, but was released in August 2001.
The Violent Drug Trafficking and Rebellion, A crushing Tsunami
In February 2003, Thaksin announced plans to eliminate the drug trade out of Thailand within three months. When the operation was concluded at the end of April, nearly 2,300 people were killed. Government officials claimed responsibility for about 35 of the victims, blame the drug dealers and gang members for the death of the other. Human rights activists, however, police forces are alleged to have been overly aggressive in their campaigns.
Violence has plagued southern provinces of Thailand's predominantly Muslim since the beginning of 2004, with armed militants attacked police stations, security posts and military depots. Nearly 800 people have been killed in the attack, which officials attribute to Islamic militants. Violence escalated in July 2005, prompting Thaksin declared a state of emergency in the south. Pattani province was rocked by an attack in February 2007, when about 30 coordinated bomb exploded in bars, hotels, and power transmitters. While the rebels have been clear in explaining their motivation for the attack, the latest bombings showed they target Buddhists and Muslims.
On December 26, 2004, a powerful tsunami hit 12 countries in Asia. Thailand reported that about 5,300 victims.
Fallout from Corrupt Government.
Thaksin made history in February 2005 elections, became the first prime minister to serve two consecutive terms. His Thai Rak Thai Party win big. He was criticized during his first term for corruption, for failing to control the insurgency in the south, and to the response that is not effective against the bird flu outbreak in Thailand, but his deft handling of the tsunami crisis is increasing in popularity in the days before the election. A year later, however, Thaksin faced intense criticism when he sold shares his family from a communications company for nearly $ 2 billion without paying taxes. About 60,000 demonstrators gathered in Bangkok and called for his resignation. In addition, two members of his cabinet resigned in protest. Facing increasing criticism over the sale, Thaksin dissolved parliament in late February and called for early elections. He announced his resignation in April, just days after his Thai Rak Thai party won 57% of the vote in national elections. After leaving the office for seven weeks, Thaksin returned to the role of prime minister.In September 2006, the military, led by General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, launched a bloodless coup and declared martial law, while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. In October, Surayud Chulanont, a respected retired general, was sworn in as prime minister. The military council installed Chulanont announced that new elections will be held in late 2007, after a new constitution was written.
In May 2007, the constitutional court found the political party of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai Rak Thai, was guilty of election fraud and forbade him to participate in government for five years.
A New Constitution and End Military Rule.
In the country's first referendum, held in August 2007, Thailand voted in favor of a new constitution, which sets the stage for parliamentary elections and return to democracy after years of military rule. In the parliamentary elections in December, the People Power Party, which supports former prime minister Thaksin, won 233 of 480 seats in parliamentary elections, a clear warning to military rule. Thaksin, who has been in exile in London, said he would return to Thailand but did not enter politics. Samak Sundaravej of the People Power Party, was elected prime minister by parliament in January 2008, thus completing the transition back to democracy. Samak, a controversial figure and debated, called himself a "proxy" for Thaksin and said he would work to alleviate poverty in rural Thailand. In the 1970s and 1990s, Samak backed action against violence against students and pro-democracy activists.Thaksin returned to Thailand in February 2008 after 17 months in exile. He said he was prepared to face corruption charges related to the property which he had obtained from a state agency during his tenure as prime minister. In July, his wife, Pojaman Shinawatra, was found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to three years in prison. Thaksin failed to appear for a court appearance in August and fled with his wife to London. He left behind about $ 2 billion in assets frozen by the military when it took power in 2006. He said he would not receive a fair trial in Thailand.
In July, Unesco, the UN cultural arm, designated Preah Vihear temple, which sits on the border of Cambodia in Cambodia - Thailand, as a UN World Heritage Site. This step arouse nationalist emotions on both sides and fueled tensions between the countries. Both countries moved troops into disputed territory near the temple. Squirmishing broke out between Cambodian and Thai troops in October 2008, and two Cambodian soldiers were killed.
People's Alliance for Democracy and Protest Status Quo.
In August 2008, thousands of protesters, called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), staged a sit-in outside the government building in Bangkok, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, whom they called a proxy for Thaksin. Demonstrators tried to change the government and electoral processes that have empowered rural majority, which members of PAD says that "teaching hospital," at the expense of the elite. PAD has recommended introducing appointed, not elected, the legislature. About a week to sit-ins, demonstrators pro - government launched a counter - demonstration, which turned violent, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. The military and police did not impose a state of emergency, however. In a press conference, Army Commander Gen. Anupong Paochinda declared neutrality in the conflict. "We do not take sides," he said. "If the nation is the people, we are the people's army. "Samak was forced to resign in September when Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled that he violated the constitution, which prohibits work in the private sector while at the office, to be paid for appearing on a cooking show "Tasting and Complaining. "Somchai Wongsawat, the first deputy prime minister, became acting prime minister. Parliament elected him prime minister on September 17, 298-163.
Riots took a dramatic turn on October 7, when two people were killed and more than 400 wounded in fighting between security forces and protesters anti - government. Demonstrators, tyring to prevent Somchai inauguration, lawmakers barricaded inside the parliament building and the army has been deployed. PAD protesters backed by the anti-corruption court decision in October by Thailand found Thaksin guilty of corruption over land deal. The court sentenced him to two years in prison. On November 25, the protesters shut down Bangkok Suvarnaabhumi Intnerantional service, creating a national crisis and stranded travelers. The next day, the Thai army chief, General Anupong Paochinda, urged Prime Minister Somchai to resign and call new elections. Somchai refused to heed the advice Anupong and then declared a state of emergency and police and military authorities to evict the protesters.
Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolved the governing People Power Party on December 2, decided that he was involved in fraud during the elections of 2007. The decision to force Somchai from power and the party members banned from politics for five years. Thaksin supporters retain their parliamentary majority and said they would try to continue the government to form a new party. The decision was encouraging protesters to end their blockade Suvarnaabhumi International Airport. First Deputy Prime Minister, chaovarat chanweerakul, became interim prime minister. A few days later, on December 15, parliament elected Abhisit Vejjajiva, head of the Democratic Party, as prime minister. Abhisit draws most of its support from the educated middle class Thailand.
Protests Anti - Government Continue and Turn Deadly.
In April 2009, a mass political unrest has returned to Thailand. Protesters loyal to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who called the red shirts, interrupted a meeting of Asian leaders held in Thailand resort. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva quickly cancel the meeting and declared a state of emergency. He then ordered the military to disperse protests in the Thai capital, Bangkok. On April 14, protesters surrender and peace restored to the street, but Thaksin and his supporters have proved that they remain a threat to the political stability of Thailand.Pro - and the anti - Thaksin continued throughout 2009, peaking in December when around 20,000 supporters of Thaksin - called red shirts - gathered in Bangkok to demand new elections. Then, in March 2010, about 100,000 Red Shirts gathered in Bangkok and demanded Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve parliament and call new elections. Abhisit refused, but agreed to meet with opposition leaders. At a meeting in late March, he agreed to call new elections, but did not set a timetable. Abhisit declared a state of emergency in early April after the protesters broke into the Parliament building, prompting government officials to flee by helicopter structures. The protests continued until May, with a red shirt taking over the center of Bangkok and basically paralyze the busy metropolis.
In May, Abhisit offered to hold early elections - a key demand of the red shirts - if demonstrators cancel their demonstration, but they rejected the motion. Abhisit withdrew the offer and ordered the troops to blockade the protest area. What started as a peaceful protest turned violent, and military opened fire on the demonstrators, hitting Khattiyas Sawatdiphol, a general who sided with the red shirts.
He later died of his injuries. His death triggered further violence, and the protesters responded with a grenade attack. Red shirts then offered to negotiate with the government, but was rejected and was involved in massive riots, looting and bombing several buildings, including the Thai stock exchange and the largest department store. The government cracked down on the movement, and on May 19, the rioters dispersed and protest leaders surrendered and will face terrorism charges. Within 68 days of protest, 68 people died. Red Shirt demonstrations gained little from their protracted. If anything, it deepened the division between pro - and anti - government.
Abhisit introduced a five-point plan in June aimed at reconciliation. The plan, though vaguely, trying to bridge the gap of economic and social causes recent turmoil. Moreover, Abhisit said he would move to place controls on the news media, which many believe sparked the riots, consider the reform of the constitution, appoint a commission to investigate the violence, and strengthen the respect of the monarchy.
Powered by Thaksin Shinawatra Party Sweeps Elections.
Border skirmishes with Cambodia flared up in April 2011, killing more than 15 people and leaving 60,000. This is the second incident of bloodshed this year, and diplomatic efforts through membership of these countries' in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to no avail.The shift in the internal politics occurred in early July 2011 when the party Pheu Thai, backed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won a majority in parliament, securing 265 of 500 seats - enough to form a one-party government. Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, became prime minister, vowed to overcome the divisions based Thaksin countries. Benefit from strength in numbers, Yingluck reached out to some of the smaller parties to form a coalition. Pheu Thai defeated Democrats, the party of the educated middle class that has been in power since 2008.
Peace Talks Continue Despite Continued Violence.
In February 2013, the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra agreed to peace talks with the leader of the Revolution Barisan Nasional (BRN), one of the rebel groups oldest and most resilient rebel operations in the country's south. Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and are Malays and Muslims form the majority. Resistance to authority Buddha turned violent in 2004, since then more than 5,400 people have been killed.Thank you for reading this article. Written and posted by Bambang Sunarno. sunarnobambang86@gmail.com
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name: Bambang Sunarno.
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DatePublished: May 5, 2016 at 10:57
